advice

Surviving Scottish winter as an African — practical tips

Yewande AdegokeNG

17d ago

My first Scottish winter nearly broke me. Second one I was fine. Key things: thermal base layers (don't dismiss them), a proper waterproof coat (not just a rain jacket), and vitamin D supplements from October. Also, the darkness hits harder than the cold. Find community. Go to things. Stay connected. That's what saved me.

3 replies

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Akosua Mensah-Bonsu17d ago
The vitamin D tip is so important and no one talks about it. I take 1000IU from September and genuinely feel the difference. A sunrise alarm clock is also a total game-changer for winter mornings.
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Adeola Fasanya17d ago
Adeola from Sunderland. The North East is very similar — darkness hits by 3:30pm in December. I second everything here, especially the part about community. It is not optional. It is medicine.
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Emeka Nwosu17d ago
Emeka from Newcastle confirming all of this. My first January nearly sent me back home. My second January I had people around me and it was completely different.